A HEADTEACHER banned school leavers from saying their final goodbyes to stop a repeat of bad behaviour.

David Curry, of Bishop Heber High School, Malpas, sparked outrage when year 11 leavers were told late last Thursday not to return to school the following day as they had expected.

Pupils staged an impromptu demonstration because they had not been given the opportunity to say their farewells.

But the school is standing by its decision.

On previous occasions water, egg and flour bombs, were thrown at teachers and students.

One pupil said: 'All went well until the last two minutes of the school day when he sent other members of senior management to tell us we weren't to come back tomorrow.

'This caused a lot of the Year 11 pupils to burst into tears. This left the students to say goodbye to all their friends in five minutes.

'Of course it took longer and the buses left without a number of pupils who were still in the school yard until gone 4pm.

'Mr Curry comes from an inner city school and doesn't seem to understand the last day meant a lot everyone. To make it worse he didn't tell us himself whilst the whole year was gathered in the hall for the presentation.'

A female parent, who wished to remain anonymous, said: 'My daughter came out in floods of tears.

'We were given no prior notice. Teach-ers were warning some pupils they would be in danger of losing their sixth form places if they argued. Other teach-ers looked sheepish. It is so disappointing. Where is the trust in his pupils?'

Mr Curry, who has received letter and emails of support from many parents, responded: 'Leavers' day was cancelled simply to prevent what over the last three years has degenerated into a potentially dangerous tradition among a significant minority of year 11 students.

'The throwing of eggs, water and flour bombs and other missiles has escalated to the point where pupils and staff have ended up as victims of completely indiscriminate missile throwing.

'We are working with year nine and 10 students on suggestions as to how future leavers' days can be celebrated without behaviour which threatens the reputation of the school and the safety of those who teach and are educated there.'

County council spokesman Ian Callister said: 'We do not expect schools to tolerate behaviour which is not acceptable at home, nor we suspect would the vast majority of parents.'